No 4 year college for SOMD?

[fatratcat]

A recent news story about locals being too under educated to take advantage of defense jobs at Pax river sparked my curiosity. Why doesn't SOMD have a 4 year college? St. Mary's College doesn't fulfill this function. Why don't we make expand it's mission to better support the local economy? The SMHEC is a nice idea, but hasn't been wildly successful at closing the gap for the community. I heard a rumor that CSM tried years ago to become a 4 year college, but was unsuccessful. I graduated from UMUC. Online is nice, but brick & mortar has many advantages.

[The Dude]

This is a dumb post. St. Mary's College is a 4 year college.

[CrashTest]

Yea - but it's a college for kids with rich parents. Not too many working adults could afford the tuition there. It's the most expensive state school in Md. and one of the most expensive state schools in the country.

[terbear1225]

Seriously? Exactly how much do you know about SMC. Very few of the students come from what I would consider "rich" families. And the tuition isn't that much higher than other md schools.

[manthaleigh]

Originally Posted by CrashTest

Yea - but it's a college for kids with rich parents. Not too many working adults could afford the tuition there. It's the most expensive state school in Md. and one of the most expensive state schools in the country.

I went to St. Mary's College, and my parents were FAR from rich! We made enought to get by. I had to take out student loans and work full time while attending school full time to get through. I know a lot of other students who did the same...

[Lurk]

Are we really sure a college education isn't overkill to be qualified for some the PAX River jobs in question? Perhaps a solid high school education for more candidates would help the situation.

[CrashTest]

Originally Posted by terbear1225

Seriously? Exactly how much do you know about SMC. Very few of the students come from what I would consider "rich" families. And the tuition isn't that much higher than other md schools.

It's $26,000 a year to attend SMC and live on campus. I guess it's up to each individual to decide if that's a lot. Frostburg State is about $15,000 a year to attend school and live on campus.

[bresamil]

Most local kids don't want to go to a local college - they want to go off far away where their parents won't know what they're up to. SMC is a great school but it is very competitive so if you don't have the grades and the SAT scores, forget about it. (SMC Alumni here - from just before they started to be an "honors" college.)

I believe an engineer should have an engineering degree. I don't fault Pax for demanding that. I don't think its necessary for a secretary, admin asst, or any number of other admin positions to have a four year degree. I know kids coming out of high school FBLA programs that could run circles around some college grads when it comes to appropriate office procedure.

Going to college for a degree is a choice. Having another college locally will not change that choice. If someone really wants that education they will find a way.

Pax is investing in the "homegrown engineer" program, where they are working with CSM and UMUC to educate and groom engineers locally. My son is part of the program. He's doing it so that he has a guaranteed job when he's done with college.

[fatratcat]

Originally Posted by The Dude

This is a dumb post. St. Mary's College is a 4 year college.

Perhaps you missed the point. Nope. You clearly missed the point. Why doesn't SOMD have a 4 year college that helps locals benefit from the lucrative jobs at Pax River? St. Mary's College has high tuition and a liberal arts concentration. So, now, if you don't mind, go back to the kids table, the adults are talking.

[fatratcat]

Originally Posted by CrashTest

Yea - but it's a college for kids with rich parents. Not too many working adults could afford the tuition there. It's the most expensive state school in Md. and one of the most expensive state schools in the country.

Exactly! It is primarily liberal arts and does not support the technology driven defense industry that is the county's chief economic engine.